Audiphone



Nov. 14, 1939. A, s, cRAlG 2,179,615

AUDIPI'IONE Filed May 22, 1954 INVENTOR A. 5. CRAIG Patented it... 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUDIPHONE Arthur 8. Craig, Kansas City, Mo., assignor to Water-n Electric Company,

Incorporated,

New YoritTNTlL, a corporation of New York a plication May 22. 1934, Serial No. 1:2 .912 4 Claims. (01. 179-107) In accordance with the general features or this,

m invention, the supporting means comprises a supporting band of resilient material adapted to span the back of the head from ear to ear and lie below or closely adjacent to the hair line at the back of the head and to be additionally supm ported by engagement with the upper portions oi the ears.

As a further feature 01 this invention the supporting band may be provided and equipped with means for supporting a bone conduction receiver 20 in operative relation to the mastoid eminence of the head.

According to this feature or the invention there is provided upon the band means adjacent one or both ear portions a loop member or extension 25 adapted to receive a supporting member preferably of resilient material for adjustably supporting a bone conduction receiver. I

In the drawing illustrating this invention. Fig. 1 is a profile view of a human head showing the applicationbt the inventionthereto;

Pig. 2 is a view in perspective 0! the apparatus of this invention in bl and Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation of the receiver and a portion of gear.

As shown in the drawing. particularly Fig. 2,

ihereceiversupport comprisesapairoiirame members I and i which may be termed of resilient wire. The two members i and i are provided at their inner ends with flattened portions 40 I and 8, respectively. Theportion I carries a slide member I adapted to receive the portion I and the portion 8 carries a slide ll adapted to receive the portion I The slide portions I and in are secured to the ends 0! the respective portions i and I so that'the members I and 6 may beadiustable as to length. I

, Atthelrireeendsthemembers iandlareprovided-with hook por ions ii and I2, respectively,

which are adapted to hook over the top portions 50 of the ears oithe user as illustrated in'Fig. .1. Due to the resilient nature of thematerial of the band and the fact that it is easily adjustable as to length, the device may be made to his snugly.

around the back 01 the head without exerting W an uncomfortable backward pull upon ears through the hook portions ii and i2 and without placing excessive pressure upon any. localized portion of the head to the discomfort of the user. The hook portions ii and i2 may be protected by suitable material well known to voculists for 5 preventing direct contact of the metal with sensitive portions 01 the user.

In the members 5 and B there are provided loops ii and i5, respectively, which when the support is in use will be in close prommity to the 10 mastoid eminence. These loops it and ii are for the purpose of supporting a bone conduction receiver it in operative'relation to the mastoid eminence.

The supporting mechanism for the receiver it is formed of light resilient metal and in form comprises an upper hooked portion i'l curved longitudinally to engage and slide upon the loop portion 14, a flat portioniB adapted to lie between the member 5 and the head of the user, a horizontally extending portion i8 and an enlarged portion 20 for adjustably supporting the receiver it. The adjustable supporting feature is provided by means of two oppositely disposed arcuate slots 2| and 22 through which extend set screws 23 and 24 which engage the receiver it.

The allowable movement of the receiver supporting member upon the loop portion it in combination'with the movement of the receiver upon its supp rt and the adjustability' oi the members V 5 and 6 permits suchxa latitude of adjustment that the receiver can beadiusted readily to'the most sensitive vibration responsiveportion oi the mastoid eminence .o'i. practically any individual thus eliminating the necessity of making to measlire a pporting equipment tor the individual. patient. 1

By reason of the resilience oi the members i and t and or the receiver supporting member which,,in addition to its own resilience, receives 40 pressure from the member I, suflicient-pressure can be exerted between the receiver and the head of the user to insure an eiilcient acoustic cou-= pling by quite light weight materials. thus reducing to a minimum the weight and pressure upon the head oi the user.

What is claimed is: V,

1. The combination with a bone conduction re-v ceiverof aresilient supporting band adapted to encircle the back. oithe head, the band being so provided at its ends with hooks adapted to engage over the tops. of the ears and adjacent one end portion with a loop, and a receiver supporting member adjustably supported upon the loop.

2. The combination with a bone conduction re- 5 ceiver of a resilient supporting band adapted to encircle the back of the head, the band being provided at its ends with hooks adapted to engage the tops of the ears .and adjacent one end with a loop, a receiver supporting member adjustably carried by the loop, and a bone conduction receiver adjustably secured to the supporting member.

3. The combination with a bone conduction receiver oi a resilient and adjustable band adapted to encircle the back of the head, the bandbeing provided at its ends with hooks adapted to engage over the tops of the ears and adjacent one end with a loop, a receiver, and a receiver ustable thereon. v

ARTHUR S, CRAIG. 

